Adjustable button



Sept. 9, 1952 N. STATI-IAM ADJUSTABLE BUTTON Filed March 8, 1950 /5' 2/ 23 25' 2 IZ/Ng 2, 26a NOEL 5mm/4N Patented Sept. 9, 1952 ADJUS'IABLE BUTTON. f V Noel Statham, Newv Canaan, Conn."`

t Appucatiomarch 8,1950,seriaiNaifisvef v1 claim. (c1. 24-206) l 1 My present invention relates to closure devices for garments and the like. More particularly it relates to the well-known type of button and buttonliole type of closure. While buttons have been used since antiquity, no ready means has been provided as far as I am aware whereby the position of the button may be varied quickly and easily to vary the degree of closure of the garment, for example.

It is therefore a principal object of my invention to provide such an adjustable closure in which the position of the button is adjustable.

- A still further object is to combine a button with a known adjustable fastener having a slider and track upon which it is adjustably positioned.

` Further and more specific objects will be apparent as the description proceeds.

In carrying out my invention, I make use of a previously known type of fastener of my invention which is characterized by a slider and a flexible track such that the slider may be held in adjusted position at any desired point on the track by means of a releasable clamp or locking member. When, as heretofore, it has been desired to use my adjustable fastener as a closure for garments, the track is secured to one part and the slider to the other part to be joined. When joining the parts, as for example the ends of a belt, it will be apparent that the slider must be brought into exact registry or engagement with the track, and since the parts are small, this may not readily be done under some instances, especially where the sense of touch alone is relied upon. In accordance with my present invention, however, the button is attached to the slider which is attached to one part to be joined, whereas the other part is provided merely with a buttonhole. Preferably the slider when released will merely be movable along the track, but will not be removable therefrom. Thereby the button and slider will always be attached to that portion of the garment or other-'member for which the device is to be used.

My invention will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken with the annexed drawing, in which Fig. 1 represents the top of a skirt employing my improved device;

Fig. 2 is a view showing the parts attached;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in section on line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view on line 4--4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view on the same scale as Fig. 4 of a modied form of the clamp and button.

'I'he fastening device per se is best shown in Figs. 3 and 4. One preferred manner of forming the track above referred to, generally denoted by I0 in the drawing. is by means of a strong fabric I I which has a centrally disposed ridge I2 of generally triangular shape formed either by folding the fabric around a core I3 as shown or by folding it upon itself with the folds held in place by a row of longitudinal stitching, not shown, all as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Such ridge I2 having been formed by the means described or otherwise, staples I4 are applied in known manner at regular` intervals, as best seen in Figs. 4 and 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the fabric I I containing the track is contained between plies I5 and I6 of the waistband I1 of the skirt shown, the plies being secured together by stitching I8.

The slider, denoted generally by 20, comprises a body portion 2| of generally C-shaped crosssection, which by virtue of this shape is adapted to be secured to track I0 by engaging beneath the same. Said body portion 2| also has upstand` ing ears 22 which pivotally support the clamp 23 on its trunnions, of which trunnion 24 is shown'. The material forming said ears is taken from the body portion 2| thereby forming an aperture in said body portion which enables the cam portion 25 of the clamp 23 to come in contact with the track I0. The opposite end of the clamp is comprised of a tab 25. In order to limit the travel of the slider so as to prevent its removal from the track, a stop 26a is provided at either end thereof. The track I0 and the slider 20 thus far described are well-known and no claim is made to them per se.

In accordance with my present invention a button 21 is secured'preferably to the tab 26 of the slider in any suitable manner, as by means of a rivet 28. To engage the button 2l a buttonhole 30 is formed in the opposite free end 3| of the waistband I'I. In arranging the parts it will be noted that preferably the pull on the slider by the other part when attached is in the same direction as the tab 26 extends. If the pull were in the other direction there would be a tendency to release the slider.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the adjustment of the slider 20 on its track I0 having been made, the parts are united merely by buttoning the tab 3|. or other part to be secured, over the button 21. Even after the tab 3| has engaged the button, adjustment may still be had by lifting the button to release the cam 25, there- .by releasing the slider and moving the slider to the point desired on the track I0.

In Fig. 5 I have shown an alternative form in which the tab 26' is elongated and has a U- bend 26" therein and is then enlarged to form a button 21'.

It will be understood that various forms of my fastening device may be employed. especially those described in my Patent No. 2,437,765.

I claim:

In anuadjustableV fasteningdevicesadapted Vfor adjustalily securingtwo parts 'of clothingltogether, a track consisting of a strip of exible material for securement directly to one of said of saidtrack having its free edges spaced wfrom one another, said slider being movable along said track and having a clamp `co-aeting with the track for fixedly securing the sliderfat a 'desired point thereon; the combination of the oregoir-lgV With an elongated actuating tab for saidcl'amp extending along said strip and directed toward the other of said two parts when the clamp is in its clamping position, said tab having a button secured thereto adapted to engage a buttonhole in the other of said parts.

NOEL STATHAM.

1.1 3.1. .m;""" CITED- The following references are of record in the ;'f-ille of this patent: parts, and a slider engaging beneathgthe edgesu f Numberv f UNITED STATES PATENTS A .c Name Date 1'5 1,733,538 Herschede Oct. 29, 1929 1,833,463 J Statham Dec. 29, 1931 l,9?l467 Kluglein Dec. 4, 1934 

